April 10 , 2008
UC Cardinal Room
Members Present: Colby Deitz; Akum Jamir; Debbie Justice; Carolyn Parris; Tamrick Mull;
Teresa Killian; Nancy Carden; Lisa Surber; Deborah Lovern; Lauren Bishop; Dawne Coward; Jed
Tate; and Walter Turner
Members Absent: Larry Hammer (excused); Pete Lloyd; Cale Wilson; Donna Welch (excused);
Tim Inman; Roseanna Belt (excused); Lisa Frady (excused); Kathleen Franks
Ex-Officio Members Present: None.
Welcome: Jed welcomed everyone to today’s meeting.
Guest Speaker: Jed introduced Bil Stahl who spoke to the group about Data Security. University
Policy #93 establishes responsibility for data security. Mr. Stahl mainly wanted to review this policy with the Forum in an attempt to get everyone thinking about security so that it becomes normal business practice. The deans, Executive Council, etc. are taking this matter very seriously and want all other faculty and staff to do the same. Following Mr. Stahl’s presentation, a brief question-and-answer session was held.
Approval of Agenda: The agenda was approved as submitted with the addition of a parking issue that needs to be added under “New Business”.
Approval of Minutes: The minutes for March’s meeting were approved as submitted.
Information Items: The next Executive Committee meeting is scheduled forThursday, May 1,
2008, 2:00-3:00, HFR 453.
The next Staff Forum meeting is scheduled for Thursday, May 8, 2008, 8:30-10:30 a.m.,
Cardinal Room, UC.
Office of Human Resources: Kathy reported that Banner HR is an ongoing process, and they are now beginning to work on the payroll module. In addition, she stated that the deadline for the final phase of classes to be banded was 4/1/08. Finally, she reported that Jamie Henderson will start work in the HR Office on 5/1/08, and she will replace the position vacated by Chris
Dahlquist.
Chancellor’s Office: No report.
Campus Committee Report: UAC – Jed said that this Committee met and discussed completion of the smoking policy recommendation to be sent to the Chancellor. The recommendation basically states that the majority feels we should have a 50 ft. smoking perimeter set around the buildings with a designated smoking area somewhere outside that perimeter. In addition, Jed reported that Dan Ostergaard has been invited to come to a future UAC meeting to speak to the group. Lastly, the employee wellness program and the Town Center were topics of discussion.
Staff Forum Committee Reports:
Human Resources - No report.
Resource & Environment - Lauren reported that the R&E Committee has received one response thus far to the email they sent out requesting project ideas. This particular suggestion was that

faculty and staff receive more discounts to events, at the Bookstore, etc.
Public Relations - No report.
Scholarship - No report.
Governance - Nancy will report on this under “Old Business”.
Old Business:
Report from Indoor Yard Sale – Dawne reported that she deposited $401.15 from the yard sale into the Staff Forum Scholarship account.
Elections – The Committee met after all nominations were received (47 in all). The Committee only contacted those who have not yet been contacted about serving. Once all nominees have been contacted and have agreed to serve, then names will be put on the ballot for elections.
New Business:
Worksite Wellness Policy – Jed will ask Dr. Sam Miller to come to a future Staff Forum meeting to discuss this matter. However, Dr. Miller needs a little more time to gain a better understanding of what his role will be in this endeavor. Kathy reported that the Office of State Personnel has been working on a wellness policy that finally became effective 2/1/08. She then explained how we will attempt to implement a wellness program on our campus. We hope to get appropriations to help offset some of the expenses that will be incurred at the new Student Recreation Center in order to encourage employees to participate in wellness offerings.
Resolution Regarding Benefits for Domestic Partners – Following a rather lengthy discussion concerning this resolution, Jed made a motion that the Staff Forum formulate a resolution identical to the one passed by the Faculty Senate with the exception of replacing the word
“faculty” wherever it appears in the resolution with the word “staff”. This spawned a discussion about other “wording issues”. Following further discussion of the matter, the following verbiage was recommended: “WHEREAS Western Carolina University and its staff recognize the innate human value of all persons regardless of sexual orientation, and; WHEREAS the University and its staff recognize furthermore that life partnerships formed between individuals regardless of gender and gender commitments that parallel those made in marriages between men and women, the University and its staff resolve to confer upon the domestic partners of employees affiliated with Western Carolina University the same access to University facilities and services that spouses receive. Furthermore, domestic partners, regardless of sexual orientation or gender, may register as such with the Human Resources Department; the domestic partners may then procure University identification cards that allow access to facilities and services.” Having agreed upon the above verbiage, Teresa Killian seconded Jed’s motion above. Lauren Bishop then called for a vote, which was done by secret ballot due to the sensitive nature of this matter. Five voted
“yes” and seven voted “no”, so this matter will not go forward.
Reserved Parking – Jed briefly spoke to the group about an email he received from Tom Johnson where Tom mentions the possibility of reserved parking for faculty/staff in the core part of campus. Jed will send Tom Johnson’s email to everyone regarding this matter. He mostly wanted to share this as an information item. After the entire Forum has had a chance to review the email, we will send comments to Jed so that he can reply to Tom’s email.
Open Comments: None.
Meeting adjourned at 10:10 a.m.